Why am I getting seeds from China?

Why People Are Randomly Getting Suspicious Seeds from China in the Mail. Americans are receiving packets of “mystery seeds” shipped from China. This is likely an example of scammers using manipulation online, in this case falsifying “verified reviews.”

Why am I getting seeds in the mail?

What’s a brushing campaign and why did they mail seeds? Eventually, the official line became that this was a ‘brushing’ campaign, in which items of small value are sent to people whose online accounts have been compromised, or are sent to people as a ‘gift.

What’s wrong with seeds from China?

USDA is aware that people at random across the country have been getting unsolicited parcels of seed that appear to be coming from China. Most importantly, do not open the packets or plant the seeds. Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, could be invasive, or introduce pathogens and toxins.

What are the mysterious seed packages from China?

In response, state and federal agriculture departments asked anyone who received the packages not to plant them. The USDA later determined that these shipments contained many different varieties, including mustard, cabbage, morning glory, rose, hibiscus and mint.

What are the mysterious seeds from China?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has identified 14 varieties of mysterious seeds purportedly sent from China to U.S. citizens who didn’t order them. The known varieties include rosemary, sage, mint and hibiscus.

Is it safe to order seeds from China?

Officials in at least 27 states are urging residents to report any unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to have been sent from China, warning that they might be invasive or otherwise harmful. Officials warned people not to plant the seeds.

Who is sending seeds from China?

The Agriculture Department has said the packages are most likely part of a “brushing” scam, in which a seller sends unsolicited items to someone and then posts false positive customer reviews to boost sales. “Brushing scams involving seed packets in international mail shipments are not uncommon,” the USDA said.

Has anyone planted the seeds from China?

An Arkansas man who received one of the mysterious seed packages sent to thousands of US residents from China planted them on his property — and said the results are wild. “We … planted the seeds just to see what would happen,” Booneville resident Doyle Crenshawn told local CBS-TV affiliate KSFM.

Should I plant seeds from China?

People across the country have reported receiving unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail that appear to be sent from China. And agriculture officials in 30 states are warning the public not to plant them. “Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.”

Can I send seeds from UK to USA?

Seeds from trees and shrubs are prohibited in passenger baggage. The seeds are not otherwise prohibited, protected under the Endangered Species Act or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or subject to any special restrictions, such as post-entry quarantine or treatment*

Did you receive a package of seeds from China?

The USDA said in a statement that they are “aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China”. They’ve worked with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and suggested it may be part of a “brushing scam”.

Why are people receiving strange packets of seeds in the post?

People around the globe are receiving strange packets of seeds in the post without any explanation as to who they come from or why they’ve been sent. All that is known is the parcels come from China and people in the US and UK have reported receiving them totally out of the blue.

Are Americans really receiving more seeds than seeds?

“USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.” Now, it appears that Americans are receiving more than seeds.

Are You receiving unwanted packages from China?

It’s not just seeds—Americans are receiving all kinds of unsolicited packages from China, containing items ranging from fake Ray-Ban sunglasses to a pair of used socks.